Packaging materials supplier Mondi has become one of the first signatories of The New Plastics Economy Global Commitment which will work towards eliminating plastic pollution and creating 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable plastic packaging by 2025.

Mondi has pledged to increase investment in research and development, and drive deeper collaboration throughout its supply chain to move away from non-renewable and non-recyclable plastic. It will use its expertise in paper-based and flexible plastic packaging to enhance its product design and thereby achieve 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable plastic packaging by 2025.

Through the Global Commitment, Mondi has said it will boost the use of recycled content in its products to ensure a minimum of 25% of post-consumer waste is incorporated across all its plastic packaging by 2025.

Mondi CEO Peter Oswald says: “We are all well aware of the challenge facing our oceans and landfills as a result of poor waste management. But plastic should never become a waste product, it should retain its economic value. As business leaders we need to seize this opportunity to make a positive difference, not only for the world we live in today but for future generations too.”

“Mondi is committed to working with all of its partners to achieve the target of 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable plastic packaging by 2025. We believe working alongside other businesses and governments is key to finding a solution for plastic waste. It is essential for us to drive innovation and broad systemic change throughout the plastics value chain.”

Dame Ellen MacArthur, Founder of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, said: “We know that cleaning up plastics from our beaches and oceans is vital, but this does not stop the tide of plastic entering the oceans each year. We need to move upstream to the source of the flow. The New Plastics Economy Global Commitment draws a line in the sand, with businesses, governments and others around the world uniting behind a clear vision for what we need to create a circular economy for plastic. This is just one step on what will be a challenging journey, but one which can lead to huge benefits for society, the economy and the environment. I encourage all businesses and governments to go further and embark on a race to the top in the creation of a circular economy for plastic. One in which this material never becomes waste or pollution.”

For over 15 years Mondi has been making sustainable paper and flexible plastic packaging solutions for forward-thinking, fast moving consumer goods brands such as Mars, Nestlé, P&G and Unilever. Mondi’s recent commitment is an important step in creating a truly circular economy.